James Arthur: I’ve had meltdowns but I’m not suicidal

X Factor winner James Arthur has played down reports that he is feeling suicidal, insisting he is “more than happy”.

Last month the 25-year-old singer, who won the competition last year, was quoted in an interview as saying he contemplated killing himself.

But he told the Standard: “A lot of the articles that had been written made it look like I had been sat in an interview and said, ‘Ah, I’m going to kill myself, it’s been so hard...’ But it’s not like that.

“Yeah, I’ve had a couple of meltdowns in the past year, it’s been difficult, I’d be lying if I said it was easy as the transition in lifestyle is huge. You go from being a normal dude to people looking at you funny. But that’s all it is. I will always speak the truth. I’m in the best place I’ve been — I’m more than happy.”

Arthur’s eponymous debut album, released today, has a distinct soul sound. But he said he was keen to diversify, following in the footsteps of Plan B, and will release a rap album as well as writing film scripts.

“I’m doing a rap album early next year which I will put out for free,” he said. “I really want to do a rock album, a drop-D metal album. I don’t know how many people that would appeal to. I’d also love to do a jazz album.” He said he had “always been a big film geek” and had written material based on his own life. He added: “I want to direct and act as well. I fancy myself as someone who could write a good film.”